Bump... bump... bump.
Bump!
The bear yelped, scooting his paws closer to the shield of his body. Pain flashed hot along his back and his legs, provoking a sharp inhale between bared teeth. His world began to rock around him. His timber sky, his timber ground, and his timber walls rumbled once more before his world lurched forward as if tugged.
He whirled his head to glance behind him, tense with worry. Was the firebeast carrying him finally growing tired? Does that mean this journey will stop soon? Relief and dread wrestled for his attention. Hopefully, the firebeast will pass the multicolored structure... the way the structure swallowed him is a feeling he will never easily shake. All the agony that came with that place too-
A faint breeze halted his distressing memories. The invigorating scent of snow-sky sent a shudder across his fur.
His gaze whipped about, eager to discover the source of the fresh smells. He thrust himself forward by bracing his rear paws against the wall behind him and shoving with all his might. Ignoring his protesting limbs, he crawled to the little emergence of the wind, slowly at first, but quickening as he inched closer. The wind encouraged him by blowing a gust that rippled through his light brown pelt. He panted in excitement, then in satisfaction when he found the origin. A crack in the wooden ground revealed the rapidly rolling dirt and undergrowth beneath him. The gale surged through the gap and directly tickled his snout.
He sneezed. The powerful scent of ice and frost bombarded him. He has smelled nothing, save for the stale air of the firebeast's belly ever since the flatfaces dragged him in here.
He barked, delighted. It was new! His bark dissolved into puffs of mirth.
He never detected a draft inside the ligneous firebeast. Perhaps this could be his own secret... that thought thrilled him more.
His merriment became distracted as he snuffled the tiny hole more. What was it, the middle of snow-sky? He attempted to recall the last time he stepped outdoors. His mind remained fuzzy, lucid only when he remembered those crooked branches-
Panic seized him. It was as if those flatfaces were standing before him again, brandishing those branches high above them to snag his skin. He didn't understand, he didn't think he ever could understand why...
This time, a resonating bellow shattered the scene. The bear scrambled to his paws clumsily- tossing his head from left to right, left to right...
A roar answered the call. It was not him. He recognized the voice of Sadiyya, a white bear the flatfaces captured recently.
"Shut up!" She shouted. He flinched. She's trapped in a firebeast near his. He wished he could rest his chin on her broad shoulder and escape into the natural cadence of her breathing.
He gulped his terror down, which came right back up as he realized the breeze has disappeared. He sniffed the air frantically, only catching the musty odor of oak. Where did the taste of snow-sky go?
His eyes scanned the floor. The opening isn't here! Where did it vanish to? Why is his paw so cold...?
Ah. He removed his paw atop the crevice. The wind burst through and seemed to chide him. It prickled his ears. He pinned his ears in embarrassment.
He sighed and took in the crisp fragrance of snow-sky. The aroma settled into his chest and flowered out. The gale poured ideas into his mind: the dark, barren trees glistening black and white, the sod shimmering silvery in the sunlight, and the ice dangling from the branches; ready to drip cold unto your unprotected nose.
A whimper edged its way out of his mouth. This slot could mean freedom. It smelled like freedom.
He peeked into the cranny. The grass existed just below him, the real grass just pawlengths away. He strived to cram his forepaw into it; however, it couldn't fit. Whenever he did that, the breeze would end and leave him inside the body of the beast. He resolved to never cover the fissure again.
He tried to enjoy the frigid gale as he did before. Yet, he grew restless. Why was escape so near, and so impossible?
His hunger for freedom smoldered in his mind, a blistering pang that blossomed and spread. His claws sunk into the planking.
The wind swelled. Caution trickled into the bear's tired limbs. He could not find the tell-tale weight in the breeze that would suggest a storm. Still, he warily clambered to his feet.
The gale forced itself through the crevice and began to prance around him. It buried its muzzle into his side. It battered its paws at him, barking a playful challenge.
How long has it been, since he play-fought or he frolicked outside?
He yapped in response to the challenge, waving his legs at the breeze. His playmate dodged with ease. It danced beyond his reach, huffing with amusement. The bear joined in.
The wind shifted. It no longer gushed throughout his concealed space. He halted. What happened to his new friend?
He realized his world did not rattle anymore. The firebeast has stopped. He has arrived, for better or for worse.